IMarch 2025, it was announced that the We no longer support International public health programs that have vaccinated millions of children worldwide. This is a success for children in the world in addition Hundreds of thousands of children around the world. These directives can be interpreted as a reflection that current American political leadership no longer believes that the United States has an obligation to non-American children. But just look at what’s going on in the United States now to see that the lack of care for children at home, because the administration reports Cut the Vaccines for Children programwhich supports the preventive efforts of the disease in the United States
Examining what has evolved from the cultural wars In recent years, we have seen a series of policies harmful to children in many ways. Rather than reflecting traditional pediatric and educational philosophy, these policies reflect the political flucture of marginal groups and politicians to impose their views on children of others. These policies have an impact on the control of infections, education, nutrition, health care and the environment.
The news on the front page is now dotted with reports on a resurgence of infections to preventive vaccination, including measles. But unlike some, vaccinations have never been a question of personal choice in this country, but rather a 100 year old societal obligation To ensure the safety of America. In fact, the majority of Americans support childhood vaccination (approximately 70%), according to a January 2025 report by the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC). However, epidemics of measles that occur in the United States are predictable consequences of a anti-vaccination This was put pressure for the laws encouraging exemptions from vaccines and weakening the requirements of school vaccines.
To the great dismay of the doctors of our country, this movement now has a seat at the top of health and social services (HHS) in RFK Jr., An anti-Vaccin supporter. The fact that Two non -vaccinated children died measles, 17% of infected individuals are hospitalized and the children were hospitalized with Vitamin A toxicitywould have in response to RFK Jr. recommending the treatment of vitamin For measles, shows the consequences of marginal medical views on children. Like the number of cases reported in measles in the United States comes close to 1000, and the cases are now in half of the states Without a massive outcry and a response from federal agencies, one can only wonder if the infantile deaths of measles will become the new normal.
Recently announced $ 11 billion in cuts CDC financing will also have an impact on health services across the country, affecting not only COVVI-19 rescue programs, but also state vaccination programs. Plans to reduce the HSS WorkForce by 10 thousand employees will also affect vaccination programs and infection monitoring. Thus, children in the United States will bear the consequences of unnecessary infections, with medical, educational, economic and permanent consequences, and the nation can unfortunately learn what is natural Herd immunity It looks like preventable diseases to vaccination spread across the country.
Pediatric health care is also attacked like never before. Americans can be surprised to learn that 48% of children in the United States. are covered by Medicaid, which provides health care to these children. We now hear cries for Hundreds of billions of dollars to cut from MedicaidAffirming that these cuts will come from the reduction of waste, fraud and abuse. However, according to reports, this issue is pretty low. We must also recognize important shortages in pediatric care providerswhich will only worsen when the supplier payments are reduced. What are the alternatives offered to provide pediatric health care when Medicaid is cut?
In addition, there is a sad shortage of pediatric dental care. This situation is still disastrous for children on Medicaid. And now scientifically badly Political campaign against water fluoridation is another example of an anti-pediatric fringe initiative to dismantle a public health success. There is no evidence that properly maintained the levels of fluoride in drinking water Offer everything except advantages thanks to the reduction of dental cavities. In addition, the anti-flooding movement has not called for cavity prevention alternatives, such as supplements or fluoride varnishes, which are offered to promote pediatric dental health or improve access to pediatric dental care.
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Many has been highlighted on the Mental health problems Our children live. It is too practical to blame these problems on the unregulated proliferation of social media. In the United States, there are several factors of mental health problems, including stress that society is due to dizzying policy and cultural wars – without mentioning environmental degradation.
The last decades of climate change have had an impact on society. Thus, there has been a legitimate concern and regulation of environmental toxins in air, water and food, as well as the impact of climate change on health. Many studies also show that environmental toxins hurt children disproportionately compared to adults. Incredibly, looking towards their future, Montana children continued the state and wonarguing that the state should implement policies to mitigate the impact of climate change. Here too, we see the Politicians’ evisceration which provide environmental protections for all of us, including children.
At the state level, we also see the laws considered which will be harmful to children. In response to a shortage of labor caused by the loss of immigrant workers, the Florida legislature offers legislation This will send the laws on child labor. The proposed bill will allow children aged 14 to work in school days on school days.
The impact of a singular change in policy linked to pediatrics on the prevention of infections, nutrition, education, health care or the environment would be dramatic. However, the cumulative effect of many collective policies which change simultaneously in several ways can be devastating.
In 1963, President Kennedy said“Because, in the last analysis, our most fundamental common bond is that we all get used to this little planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish the future of our children. And we are all fatal.”
In the middle of political chaos, which unfortunately becomes the new standard, is perhaps the time to take a step back and ask when America has stopped cherishing its children.
Are we prepared for the answer and the consequences?